IBM has taken a step towards assisting next generation entrepreneurs in South Africa through its Global Entrepreneur Programme
IBM South Africa developer relations lead, Clayton Booysen, said, “The Global Entrepreneur Programme is focused at helping early stage entrepreneurs to capture emerging business opportunities, especially in fast-growing industries such as energy, utilities, healthcare and telecommunications.
“We are looking to convert start-ups to speed-ups by providing coaching and connections to IBM clients and partners. We want to help these start-ups to get to market faster and at the same time, provide IBM clients with the latest technologies,” he added.
Start-ups that are privately held, have been in business for five years or less and are actively engaged in developing a software-based product or service will be qualified to become beneficiaries of the initiative.
A statement from IBM said, "South Africa is one of ten markets, including Brazil, China, Mexico, Turkey, Spain and Germany, to join the Global Entrepreneur Programme. In addition to fostering technological advances, IBM’s Global Entrepreneur Program also supplements the company’s venture capital by encouraging strategic relationships with start-up community."
